Overview
The Detroit Tigers take on the Sacramento Athletics in the final game of a three-game series on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at 10:05 PM EDT at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California. The sports card confirms the game time and networks (FDDT, NSCA, MLBN). The Athletics won the series opener 8-3 on August 25, with Shea Langeliers’ grand slam and Colby Thomas’ solo homer, and the second game 6-4 on August 26, with Tyler Soderstrom’s two-run homer. The Athletics lead the 2025 season series 4-2, including a 5-4 win on June 26. This AL matchup is critical for the Tigers (78-55, 1st in AL Central) to avoid a sweep and maintain their division lead, and for the Athletics (61-72, 5th in AL West) to complete a home series sweep. Fans seeking a winning edge can rely on this expert preview, featuring player insights, pitching matchups, and a prediction—unlock more game-changing tips with our exclusive MLB strategies now!
Team Analysis
Detroit Tigers
- 2025 Record (as of August 26): 78-55, 1st in AL Central
- Performance Overview: The Tigers are 6-4 in their last 10 games, averaging 4.8 runs/game with a .258 batting average, .328 OBP, and .422 SLG, and a 3.80 ERA. Gleyber Torres’ .282 BA and Riley Greene’s 20 HRs lead the offense, but injuries to Colt Keith (INF, undisclosed), Matt Vierling (OF, oblique), Paul Sewald (RP, shoulder), Reese Olson (SP, shoulder), Parker Meadows (OF, quad), Sean Guenther (RP, hip), Jackson Jobe (SP, flexor), Jason Foley (RP, shoulder), Alex Cobb (SP, hip), Ty Madden (SP, shoulder), and Jose Urquidy (SP, elbow) weaken their depth.
- Strengths: Elite pitching (3.80 ERA, 9th in MLB), strong road offense (4.8 runs/game), and a 99.8% chance to win the AL Central.
- Weaknesses: Recent losses in Sacramento (0-2 in series) and a depleted pitching staff.
- Player to Watch: Riley Greene (LF) – His .260 BA, 20 HRs, 65 RBI, and .300 BA in his last 5 games make him a key power threat.
Sacramento Athletics
- 2025 Record (as of August 26): 61-72, 5th in AL West
- Performance Overview: The Athletics are 6-4 in their last 10 games, averaging 5.2 runs/game with a .314 batting average, .321 OBP, and .418 SLG, and a 4.66 ERA. Shea Langeliers’ 28 HRs and Tyler Soderstrom’s .260 BA lead the offense, but injuries to Ben Bowden (RP, lat), Jack Perkins (RP, shoulder), Austin Wynns (C, abdomen), Luis Severino (SP, oblique), Denzel Clarke (OF, abductor), Max Muncy (INF, hand), Grant Holman (RP, shoulder), Gunnar Hoglund (SP, hip), Jose Leclerc (RP, shoulder), and Luis Medina (SP, elbow) test their roster.
- Strengths: Power hitting (180 HRs, 4th in AL), a 6-game win streak against left-handed starters, and recent home surge (27-37).
- Weaknesses: Inconsistent pitching (4.66 ERA in last 10 games) and a 61-72 overall record.
- Player to Watch: Shea Langeliers (C) – His .200 BA, 28 HRs (10th in MLB), and grand slam on August 25 make him a dangerous power hitter.
Head-to-Head Record
- Historical Context: The Athletics lead the 2025 season series 4-2, with wins including an 8-3 rout on August 25 (Langeliers’ grand slam), a 6-4 win on August 26 (Soderstrom’s homer), and a 5-4 win on June 26. The Tigers won 8-0 on June 25. In 2024, the Tigers won 5-2 overall.
- Recent Encounter: On August 26, the Athletics won 6-4, with Soderstrom’s two-run homer and Osvaldo Bido’s 5 innings outpacing Charlie Morton’s effort.
- Key Insight: The Athletics’ power bats (Langeliers, Soderstrom) and home momentum overwhelm the Tigers’ depleted pitching, though Greene and Torres’ offense keeps Detroit competitive.
Pitching Matchups Table
| Team | Pitcher | Record | ERA | Innings Pitched | Strikeouts | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tigers | Casey Mize (RHP) | 6-4 | 4.29 | 107.0 | 85 | 1.32 |
| Athletics | Luis Morales (RHP) | 2-2 | 3.86 | 32.2 | 34 | 1.25 |
Strengths and Negatives of Pitchers
- Casey Mize (Tigers):
- Strengths: Decent 7.1 K/9 and a 3.00 ERA in his last 3 starts (18 IP, 6 ER). His slider-sinker mix induces groundballs (42% GB rate), as seen in a 6-inning, 2-ER outing vs. the Royals on August 21.
- Negatives: A 4.50 road ERA and limited experience against the Athletics (0-1, 5.40 ERA in 2024) could be exploited by Langeliers and Soderstrom.
- Luis Morales (Athletics):
- Strengths: Solid 3.86 ERA, 9.4 K/9, and a 2.25 ERA in his last start (4 IP, 1 ER vs. Mariners on August 20). His fastball-curveball mix showed promise in his MLB debut.
- Negatives: Limited MLB experience (32.2 IP) and control issues (3.5 BB/9) could be targeted by Greene and Torres’ patience.
Key Players to Monitor
- Detroit Tigers:
- Riley Greene (LF): .260 BA, 20 HRs, .300 BA in last 5 games.
- Gleyber Torres (2B): .282 BA, 1 HR on August 25, 15-for-40 in last 10 games.
- Wenceel Pérez (RF): .250 BA, 2 RBI on August 25.
- Sacramento Athletics:
- Shea Langeliers (C): .200 BA, 28 HRs, grand slam on August 25.
- Tyler Soderstrom (1B): .260 BA, 2-run homer on August 26.
- Nick Kurtz (1B): .220 BA, 27 HRs, pinch-hit homer on August 25.
Recent Performance
- Detroit Tigers: At 78-55, the Tigers are 6-4 in their last 10, scoring 48 runs while allowing 46, with their offense strong (.258 BA) but pitching taxed (3.80 ERA).
- Sacramento Athletics: At 61-72, the Athletics are 6-4 in their last 10, scoring 52 runs and allowing 44, with their offense surging (.314 BA) and pitching decent (4.66 ERA).
Critical Factors
- Venue: Sutter Health Park’s hitter-friendly dimensions (4.25 park ERA) favor power bats like Langeliers and Greene, though Mize’s groundball tendencies could limit damage.
- Weather: Forecasted at 92°F with clear skies, ideal for a competitive game.
- Momentum: The Athletics’ 6-4 run and 2-0 series lead contrast with the Tigers’ two-game skid and 34-30 road record.
- Betting Odds: Tigers favored at -110, with over/under at 8.5, reflecting their overall record but recent struggles.
Prediction
The Detroit Tigers hold a slight edge in this matchup, driven by Casey Mize’s 4.29 ERA and recent form (3.00 ERA in last 3 starts) compared to Luis Morales’ limited MLB experience (32.2 IP). The Athletics’ offense, led by Langeliers and Soderstrom, could exploit Mize’s road struggles, but the Tigers’ lineup, sparked by Greene and Torres, should capitalize on Morales’ control issues. Detroit’s bullpen, despite injuries, will likely secure the win to avoid a sweep.
Final Prediction: Detroit Tigers win, 6-4. Greene drives in 2 runs, and Mize pitches five quality innings.
Best Bets
- Moneyline: Detroit Tigers (-110) – Their offensive depth and Mize’s reliability offer value as slight favorites.
- Over 8.5 Runs (-110) – Sutter Health Park’s hitter-friendly setup and Morales’ inexperience suggest a high-scoring game.
- Riley Greene to Record an RBI (+115) – His 65 RBI and recent form offer strong value against Morales.
This preview, based on the latest trends and stats as of August 26, 2025, delivers expert, trustworthy, and engaging content for MLB fans. Watch live on FDDT, NSCA, or MLBN, as noted in the sports card.
